> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.recruitier.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Payment Methods

> Manage your payment methods, view invoices, and understand Recruitier's payment security through Stripe.

## Overview

Recruitier uses **Stripe** as its payment processor. Stripe handles all payment
transactions, card storage, and invoice generation. Your payment information is
never stored directly by Recruitier -- it is securely managed by Stripe, which is
PCI DSS Level 1 compliant and used by millions of businesses worldwide.

## Supported Payment Methods

Recruitier accepts the following payment methods through Stripe:

* **Credit cards** -- Visa, Mastercard, American Express
* **Debit cards** -- Visa Debit, Mastercard Debit
* **SEPA Direct Debit** -- For European bank accounts (where available)

The exact payment methods available may vary depending on your region and the
Stripe configuration for your account.

<Note>
  Bank transfers and iDEAL are not currently available for standard plans. For
  Enterprise plans, contact our sales team to discuss alternative payment
  arrangements.
</Note>

## Adding a Payment Method

To add a payment method:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Subscription settings">
    Go to the **Subscription** page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Manage Payment Method">
    Click the **Manage Payment** or **Add Payment Method** button. This opens the
    Stripe-hosted payment portal.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your card details">
    In the Stripe portal, enter your card number, expiration date, CVC, and billing
    address. All fields are required. The form is hosted entirely by Stripe -- your
    card details never pass through Recruitier's servers.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the payment method">
    Click **Save** to add the card to your account. Stripe encrypts and stores your
    card details securely.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  During the trial period (days 8-14, Phase 2), you are asked to add a payment method
  to continue your trial. You will **not** be charged until the trial ends on day 15
  and your paid subscription begins. The card is verified but no payment is taken
  during Phase 2.
</Info>

### Trial Phase 2 Payment Prompt

When your trial reaches day 8 (Phase 2), a payment prompt appears as a full-screen
overlay that requires you to add a payment method before continuing to use the platform.
This overlay:

* Displays a plan selector so you can choose which plan to subscribe to when the trial ends
* Includes a secure card input form powered by Stripe
* Shows your expected billing start date and confirms that you will not be charged until
  the trial ends
* Includes a **Pay immediately** toggle to skip the remaining trial and activate your
  subscription right away
* Cannot be dismissed or closed -- you must add a payment method to continue using the
  platform during Phase 2

By default, once you enter a valid card, the overlay closes and you can resume using the
platform for the remainder of your trial period. Your card is not charged until day 15
when your paid subscription begins.

If you toggle **Pay immediately**, your card is charged right away and your paid
subscription activates instantly. You receive your full plan credits (1,500 for Pro or
5,000 per seat for Agency) immediately instead of waiting until day 15.

<Warning>
  If you do not want to continue after the trial, make sure to cancel before day 15
  to avoid being charged. Adding a card during Phase 2 without the "Pay immediately"
  option does not immediately charge you, but your selected plan will begin billing
  automatically when the trial ends.
</Warning>

## Updating Payment Details

If your card expires, your card number changes, or you want to switch to a
different payment method:

1. Navigate to the **Subscription** page
2. Click **Manage Payment** to open the Stripe portal
3. Update your card details or add a new card
4. Save the changes

The new payment method is used for all future charges. Any pending or upcoming
charges will be billed to the updated payment method.

<Tip>
  Update your payment details proactively when you receive a new card from your
  bank. This prevents payment failures when your old card expires and avoids
  any service interruptions.
</Tip>

## Applying Promo Codes

If you have a promotional code, you can apply it during checkout or from your
subscription settings:

1. Navigate to the **Subscription** page
2. Find the promo code field
3. Enter your code (codes are case-insensitive -- "PROMO2024" and "promo2024" work
   the same way)
4. The discount is validated through Stripe in real time

Promo codes may have:

* **Expiration dates** -- The code must be applied before the expiration
* **Maximum redemption limits** -- Only a certain number of users can use the code
* **Specific plan restrictions** -- Some codes may only apply to certain plans

If the code is valid, the discount is applied to your subscription immediately.

## Viewing Invoices

Recruitier generates invoices for every billing cycle through Stripe. To view your
invoices:

1. Navigate to the **Subscription** page
2. Click **View Invoices** or access the Stripe customer portal
3. Browse your invoice history

Each invoice includes:

| Field              | Description                                                   |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Invoice number** | A unique identifier for the invoice                           |
| **Date**           | The date the invoice was generated                            |
| **Amount**         | The total amount charged (including any prorated adjustments) |
| **Plan details**   | The plan type and billing period                              |
| **Seat count**     | (Agency plans) The number of seats billed                     |
| **BTW number**     | Your Dutch VAT number (if entered in Account Settings)        |
| **Status**         | Paid, Pending, or Failed                                      |
| **PDF download**   | A downloadable PDF of the invoice                             |

Invoices are generated automatically at the start of each billing cycle. You can
download PDF copies for your financial records and accounting.

<Tip>
  If you need invoices with your BTW number for Dutch VAT reporting, make sure your
  BTW number is entered in your Account Settings before the next billing cycle. It
  will appear on all invoices generated after you add it. Previously generated
  invoices cannot be retroactively updated.
</Tip>

## Payment Failure Handling

If a payment fails (for example, due to insufficient funds, an expired card, or a
bank decline), the following process occurs:

### Immediate Notification

You receive an email notification from Stripe informing you that the payment
failed. The email includes the reason for the failure (if provided by your bank)
and instructions for resolving the issue.

### Retry Attempts

Stripe automatically retries failed payments several times over the following days.
The retry schedule typically follows this pattern:

1. **First retry** -- A few days after the initial failure
2. **Second retry** -- A few more days later
3. **Final retry** -- One more attempt before the subscription is affected

### Grace Period

During the retry period, your subscription remains active. You continue to have
full access to all features while Stripe attempts to process the payment.

### Subscription Suspension

If all retry attempts fail, your subscription may be suspended. To restore access:

1. Navigate to the **Subscription** page
2. Click **Manage Payment** to update your payment method
3. Enter a valid payment method
4. The outstanding charge is processed and your subscription is reactivated

<Warning>
  Keep your payment method up to date to avoid service interruptions. If your card
  is about to expire, update it before the next billing cycle to prevent failed
  payments and potential access disruption.
</Warning>

## Payment Security

All payment processing is handled by Stripe, which provides enterprise-grade
security:

* **PCI DSS Level 1 compliance** -- The highest level of payment security
  certification
* **Encryption** -- All card data is encrypted in transit and at rest
* **3D Secure** -- Additional authentication for supported cards when required by
  your bank (extra verification step during payment)
* **No card storage by Recruitier** -- Your card details are stored exclusively by
  Stripe, never in Recruitier's systems
* **Tokenization** -- Your card details are replaced with a secure token for all
  transactions

You can review Stripe's security practices at
[stripe.com/docs/security](https://stripe.com/docs/security).

## Common Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I use a company credit card?">
    Yes, any valid credit or debit card can be used regardless of whether it is a
    personal or corporate card. Many agencies use a company card for centralized
    billing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I pay by bank transfer?">
    Direct bank transfers are not available for standard plans. SEPA Direct Debit may
    be available depending on your region. For Enterprise plans, contact our sales team
    to discuss alternative payment arrangements including bank transfers.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will I receive a receipt for each payment?">
    Yes, Stripe sends an email receipt for every successful payment. You can also
    download PDF invoices from the Stripe customer portal accessible via
    the **Subscription** page.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I get a refund?">
    Refund policies are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Common scenarios include
    accidental renewals (contact us within a few days of the charge), significant
    service issues, and billing errors. Contact
    [support@recruitier.com](mailto:support@recruitier.com) with your account email,
    the charge in question, and the reason for your request.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why was I charged a different amount than expected?">
    This typically happens due to prorated charges. When you upgrade your plan or add
    seats mid-billing-period, Stripe calculates a prorated amount for the remaining
    days. Check your invoice in the **Subscription** page for a detailed breakdown
    of the charge.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Advanced

### Stripe SDK Loading

Recruitier uses lazy loading for the Stripe SDK. This means:

* The Stripe JavaScript library is only loaded when you navigate to billing or
  payment pages
* This keeps the rest of the application fast by avoiding unnecessary script loading
* The Stripe Elements (card input form) are rendered in an iframe hosted by Stripe,
  ensuring card details never touch Recruitier's frontend code

### Idempotency and Safety

All payment operations use Stripe idempotency keys. This means:

* If a network error causes a payment request to be retried, you will not be
  charged twice
* Subscription changes are applied exactly once, even if the request is sent
  multiple times due to connectivity issues
* This provides a safety net against accidental duplicate charges

### Webhook Processing

Stripe communicates subscription state changes to Recruitier via webhooks:

| Webhook Event                   | What It Triggers                                  |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| `invoice.paid`                  | Subscription activated/renewed, credits refreshed |
| `invoice.payment_failed`        | Payment failure notification sent to user         |
| `customer.subscription.updated` | Plan change recorded, features adjusted           |
| `customer.subscription.deleted` | Access restricted, cancellation finalized         |

These webhooks ensure that your account status is always in sync with Stripe,
even if you close your browser during a billing operation.

## Related

* [Plans & Pricing](/billing/plans-pricing)
* [Managing Your Subscription](/billing/managing-subscription)
* [Team Billing](/billing/team-billing)
* [Account Settings](/settings/account)